SpinTel

If you are looking for a mobile plan in Australia, the golden rule is avoid going directly to "The Big Three" (Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone) for SIM-only plans unless you absolutely need a brand-new phone on a contract.

Instead, the savviest Aussies use MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators). These are smaller providers that buy network space from the major telcos and sell it to you at a fraction of the cost. You get the exact same coverage but save hundreds of dollars a year.

The best mobile plans in Australia are broken down below by what people actually use and recommend:

1. Best for Regional & Country Coverage: Boost Mobile (Telstra Network)

If you live in regional Australia, travel out of the cities frequently, or just want the absolute best coverage, you need the Telstra network.

Here is the catch: almost every cheap provider on the Telstra network uses the "Telstra Wholesale" network, which covers 98.8% of the population. Boost Mobile is the only MVNO with access to the full Telstra network (covering 99.7%). This means you get the exact same coverage as direct Telstra customers for much less.

• Who it’s for: Regional Aussies, grey nomads, or anyone wanting top-tier coverage without paying Telstra's premium prices.
• Key Plans:
  • $39 / 28-day Recharge: Gets you 30GB of data on 5G with data rollover (often has massive "new customer" bonus data promos, like 60GB for your first few recharges).
  • 12-Month "Set & Forget" Plans: Extremely popular. You pay upfront for a year of coverage, which works out much cheaper. The $300 plan gives you 240GB (effectively $25/month for 20GB), and the $365 plan gives you 365GB.

2. Best for Heavy Data & "Unlimited" Users: Felix Mobile (Vodafone Network)

Felix Mobile is owned by TPG/Vodafone and has carved out a massive following because it offers the only truly unlimited data plan in Australia.

• Who it’s for: Heavy stream-on-the-go users, commuters, or anyone sick of "data shock" and paying excess data fees.
• The Catch: Their unlimited plan caps your download speed at 40Mbps. Don't let this scare you—40Mbps is more than fast enough for seamless HD streaming on Netflix, FaceTime, TikTok, and web browsing.
• Key Plans:
  • The Unlimited Plan: $40 / month for unlimited data. Bonus: They almost always have a promo code running (e.g., code 4UNL) that slashes the price by 50% for your first few months.
  • They also plant one tree for every month you stay connected.

3. Best for Data Rollover & Families: ALDI Mobile (Telstra Wholesale Network)

A staple of Aussie value, ALDI Mobile (which runs on Telstra's wholesale network) is incredibly popular because of its legendary data rollover. As long as you recharge your plan on time, your unused data rolls over into a "data vault" that never expires. It is not uncommon for ALDI customers to have hundreds of gigabytes, or even a terabyte, of data saved up over time.

• Who it’s for: Everyday users who want reliable Telstra coverage, great value, and to keep every single megabyte of data they pay for.
• Key Plans:
  • The $28 / 30-day Plan: Gives you 32GB of 5G data with unlimited talk and text and data rollover.
  • 5G Family Plans: Starting at $60/month, these allow you to share a massive pool of data across multiple SIMs (perfect for parents and kids).

4. Best "Classic" Prepaid & Customer Choice: Amaysim (Optus Network)

Amaysim is a giant in the Aussie MVNO space. Running on the Optus network, they are widely known for having fantastic customer service (constantly winning awards) and being incredibly flexible. Like ALDI, they offer unlimited data banking.

• Who it’s for: Metro and suburban users who want a reliable brand with zero hassle, great app support, and consistent special deals.
• Key Plans:
  • They offer very flexible 28-day plans starting from $22 to $30 for solid data pools.
  • Annual Plan: Keep an eye out for their long-expiry promos, which often drop to around $249 for 350GB over 365 days.

5. Best for Absolute Budget Users: SpinTel or Moose Mobile (Optus Network)

If you don't use much data and literally just want the cheapest possible way to keep your phone active, look at providers like SpinTel or Moose Mobile.

• Who it’s for: Light data users, students, seniors, or budget-conscious shoppers.
• Key Plans:
  • SpinTel frequently wins the "cheapest plan" awards. They offer promotional pricing (e.g., $12/month for the first 6 months, reverting to $23/month thereafter) which is incredibly hard to beat for standard calls and texts.

Tips for Switching Mobile Plans in Australia:

1. Don't fear switching: There are virtually no lock-in contracts on SIM-only plans anymore. You can keep your exact same phone number, and the porting process is automated and usually takes less than 15 minutes to complete online.
2. Churn for discounts: Many telcos offer "first 3 to 6 months half-price" deals. Many Aussies "churn" (switch providers) every 6 months to permanently live on introductory discount rates.
3. Check your network: Before you buy, make sure the network (Telstra, Optus, or Vodafone) has strong coverage in your specific suburb or workplace by checking their online coverage maps.

The best mobile plans in Australia right now (as of early September 2026) focus on value from MVNOs riding the Optus or Vodafone networks, with strong intro discounts, solid data allowances, and no lock-in contracts. Telstra offers the best coverage (especially regional/rural), but it costs more. Most Aussies are shifting to cheaper MVNOs for everyday use due to cost-of-living pressures.

Quick Context on Networks and What People Actually Use

• Telstra: Best coverage (99.8% population), but priciest. Full network access is rare on MVNOs (Boost is the main one).
• Optus: Good metro coverage; popular MVNOs include SpinTel, Dodo, and amaysim.
• Vodafone/TPG: Competitive speeds and value; TPG often wins awards.
• Market leaders: Telstra (~40%), Optus (~28%), TPG/Vodafone (~15-17%), with MVNOs growing to ~19% share as people chase deals.

TPG frequently takes out "Mobile Provider of the Year" and best prepaid/value awards for its consistent affordability.

Top Recommendations (SIM-Only or Prepaid Focus)

These are popular based on awards, comparison sites like WhistleOut/Canstar/Finder, and user trends. Prices are introductory where noted (common 50% off for first 6 months) and change often—always check current offers. Most are month-to-month with data banking perks.

• TPG (Vodafone network) – Best overall value/prepaid pick
  Often the top-rated for affordability. Example: 25GB Small Plan around $12.50/month for first 6 months, then ~$25 ongoing. Strong for international calls on some plans. Great if you want simple, cheap prepaid without fuss.

• SpinTel (Optus network) – Best SIM-only value
  Regular award winner for value plans (e.g., 25GB plans with big intro discounts like $12–15/month initially, then ~$23). Good speeds up to 150Mbps in 5G areas. Popular for budget-conscious users who don't need max data.

• Dodo (Optus network) – Best for larger data allowances
  Wins for large SIM-only plans. Examples include 40–80GB plans with 50% off intro pricing (e.g., $15–20/month first 6 months, then $30–40). Strong contender if you stream or need more data.

• felix (Vodafone network) – Best unlimited or high-data option
  Stands out for truly unlimited data (capped speeds, e.g., 20Mbps) around $35–40/month, or solid 50GB plans. Frequently recommended for heavy users wanting no data worries.

• Kogan Mobile or Swoop (Vodafone/Optus) – Big data on a budget
  Kogan often has aggressive deals like 120GB for ~$20 intro (with bonuses). Swoop pushes 30GB plans from ~$12.40 intro. Good for data hogs chasing short-term value.

• Boost Mobile (full Telstra network) – Best for coverage
  Worth it if you're in regional areas or travel a lot. Prepaid options like 60GB for ~$39 (with bonuses on initial recharges). More expensive than MVNOs but reliable where others drop out.

Other Mentions

• amaysim (Optus): Solid for international calls and decent data; popular MVNO with good customer feedback.
• Belong or Everyday Mobile (Telstra wholesale): Reliable mid-tier options if you want Telstra coverage without full price.
• Avoid big three direct plans (Telstra/Optus/Vodafone) unless you need specific perks or max coverage—they're usually 2x the price of MVNO equivalents.

Tips for Choosing

• Coverage first: Check the coverage map for your area (Telstra wins outside cities).
• Prepaid vs postpaid: Prepaid (TPG, Boost, Kogan) for flexibility; postpaid SIM-only for convenience.
• Deals change fast: Look for 6-month intro discounts—many sites like WhistleOut highlight them.
• Data needs: 25–50GB suits most; go higher or unlimited for streaming.
• Compare live on WhistleOut, Canstar, or Finder, and consider porting your number for easy switches.

Shop around based on your postcode, data habits, and whether you need international inclusions or roaming. MVNOs are what a lot of everyday Aussies are actually using for the best bang-for-buck.